Photo: Antony-22 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Westover than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westover gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #33 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Westover faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Westover’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westover, and Westover’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #33 of 61 in West Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westover’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical West Virginia town has higher expected damage than 73% of U.S. towns; within the state, Westover has more expected damage per building than 53% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Westover: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westover flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westover, from FEMA’s records: 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Westover isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monongalia County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westover
Disasters that paid out in Westover itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Westover), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides4 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides7 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$9K to the City of Westover for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides$5K to the City of Westover for repairs
- 2000Flooding, Severe Storms, and Landslides$9K to the City of Westover for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Monongalia County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Westover after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westover archive →Westover and its neighbors
Westover is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morgantown | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 137 |
| Westover | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Granville | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Westover faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Westover
Is Westover at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westover has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #33 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westover flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Westover since 1978, $273K in all, or 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Westover in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Monongalia County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westover?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westover’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Westover?
By FEMA money that reached Westover, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2003): 4 households applied for aid, $19K approved.
Is Westover at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Westover’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westover.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westover’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.